Moms of young children, would you hire a 12yo to babysit?

[Pea-n-Me]

Do you honestly believe a bloody nose and hysterics is a true emergency? I guess that is where we differ. I don't think a 12 year old could handle a true life or death situation and I would never put one in a spot to find out. Granted, I couldn't care less if other people hired 12 year olds, it wouldn't happen in THIS house.

I think we all agree that what you do in YOUR house is your own business. To each his own.

But to answer your question, you and I probably do differ in that I'm a longtime nurse who spent several years working in a pediatric ER and have many years of dealing with critical illness and life threatening situations so I'm probably more cognizant than most of the things that can happen.

One thing I can say for certain is that the success of how emergencies are handled isn't determined by age alone. It's about preparedness and the ability to act rationally, quickly and safely. I'd trust my DD12 over some adults I know. I've "trained" her myself her entire life and this is a way of life for us. I've also obviously seen her in action in various situations - she consistently makes the right decisons and acts appropriately. In fact, if she didn't, I might not feel safe letting her babysit and/or be responsible for someone else's children in the first place.

And yes, a bloody nose (which in this case was pretty severe), or any bleeding is an emergency. And hysterics only serve to complicate the situation and make it more difficult to handle. My daughter handled both very well. I do not doubt if it was a more serious situation, she'd handle that well also. We go over "situations" regularly.

Of course there's always the possiblity that any given situation will not be survivable or handled well no matter who's at the helm. (We get patients in regularly who either didn't handle things well themselves or others didn't handle well for them.) Bottom line is that some things in life just aren't completely predictable. But if safeguards and reasonable preparedness are taken by all, then in all likelihood the vast majority of situations will be manageable. Even by some 12 yr olds.

 

[indimom]

My daughter started babysitting at 12. She turned 13 in July and babysits for little ones and multiples. Yesterday she babysat for a family with three children from 1-6. I have no doubt that she can handle herself under most conditions and she knows when to "call in the troops" if something is beyond her abilities.
She took an all-day CPR/First Aid course with her father and I in January and will continue to renew annually. We didn't bother with the local babysitting course taught at the hospital. She has spent her entire life growing up in my day care and if she doesn't know by now how to safely entertain, distract, feed, clean, care for and comfort little ones, she was not going to learn at a hospital presentation.
As soon as she got her first job, she was planning activities, creating a bag of goodies and craft materials to bring, picking out books, etc. I was impressed.
Can't help with the advertising since we didn't need to, my day care families were thrilled to hear she would be providing evening and weekend babysitting, and have already spread the word. She had requests before she even took the CPR/FA course.
If you or your daughter are uncomfortable, I'd start with mother's helper type jobs and work up from there. Our daughter's first job was for a neighbor so she knew we were just around the corner if she needed us for anything.

 

[Tiger926]

No way! They are still children themselves and do not possess the maturity or experience to handle an emergency situation.

I was an extremely responsible and mature 12 year old, but I was still only 12. I probably could have handled babysitting at that age, but why would it have been necessary to put that much responsibility on my shoulders at that age?

My kids have hardly been babysat much in their lives, but it's only by a few responsible adult family members, Tiger

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Clearly, there are two or more camps here. Not surprising at all.

I'd like to thank Marie for starting this thread as it opened up (yet another) discussion with both my kids on safety and emergency preparedness.

We once again reviewed CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver on adults, children, infants and pets and we practiced on eachother. IMO you can never review or practice too much.

A reminder to all that PREVENTION is the first step to safety.

Everybody go forth and do what they're comfortable with.

 

[Jaime4004]

It looks like the majority of people who would hire a 12 y.o. are parents who have a 12 y.o. I used to babysit at 11, like most people. But I would not hire an 11-12 y.o. now for my kids. I will probably feel differently when my daughter turns 12!

 

[dogluva]

I babysat at 12 all the time. I started around 10, not at night. I was very responsible. My daughters babysat at 12. Son, not so much. He was too immature.

I had a lady ask if I knew any good babysitters. I told her my daughter. She asked how old. I said 12. She said never mind. The child that needed watchign was THIRTEEN! I laughed. Really, a babysitter for a 13 year old (during the day!). Not a special needs child either. A seventh grader.

 

[dogluva]

Do you honestly believe a bloody nose and hysterics is a true emergency? I guess that is where we differ. I don't think a 12 year old could handle a true life or death situation and I would never put one in a spot to find out. Granted, I couldn't care less if other people hired 12 year olds, it wouldn't happen in THIS house.

Well you must love your children more than me. Sarcasm.

 

[handinpocket]

Well you must love your children more than me. Sarcasm.

I believe you will find sarcasm is against board rules and you just might find yourself with some points.

You may need a break from the computer, there really isn't any need to get so angry over someone else's opinion. Take Pea-n-me for example, she can state her opinion without being unnecessarily rude, take a few pointers from her.

 

[dogluva]

I believe you will find sarcasm is against board rules and you just might find yourself with some points.

You may need a break from the computer, there really isn't any need to get so angry over someone else's opinion. Take Pea-n-me for example, she can state her opinion without being unnecessarily rude, take a few pointers from her.

Oh well. I really wanted to find a smilie with a sarcasm face. No wonder I couldn't find it!

I do better when I am face to face with stating my opinion than I do typing. I have not found a way to be tactful when I have to type it. I will work on that.

 

[luvmy3]

I had a lady ask if I knew any good babysitters. I told her my daughter. She asked how old. I said 12. She said never mind. The child that needed watchign was THIRTEEN! I laughed. Really, a babysitter for a 13 year old (during the day!). Not a special needs child either. A seventh grader.

Oh well. I really wanted to find a smilie with a sarcasm face. No wonder I couldn't find it!

Here you go

 

[dogluva]

Here you go

Thank you! Hope you don't get points as well.

 

[ilovepete]

No. And I wouldn't hire a 16 yr old, either.

 

[DeniseinNS]

Absolutely.

But your children may be missing out on some great experiences with their contemporaries.

Your choice, of course.

Nope, they aren't missing out at all. They don't really know any people in the preteen-teen age group so to hire someone that age to babysit them would be leaving them with a total stranger so if anything it would stress them out (they can be shy with strangers) not give them great experiences.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Take Pea-n-me for example, she can state her opinion without being unnecessarily rude, take a few pointers from her.

Why thank you handinpocket. (I just wanted to say that name out loud. I know mine's not much better. )

 

[golfgal]

Do you honestly believe a bloody nose and hysterics is a true emergency? I guess that is where we differ. I don't think a 12 year old could handle a true life or death situation and I would never put one in a spot to find out. Granted, I couldn't care less if other people hired 12 year olds, it wouldn't happen in THIS house.

I know plenty of ADULTS that can't handle a true life or death situation so what is your point? What about all those kids that drown a month or so ago because no one knew how to swim? At 12 my kids would have known to throw them a rope or something to pull them in but none of those adults did.

I babysat at 12 all the time. I started around 10, not at night. I was very responsible. My daughters babysat at 12. Son, not so much. He was too immature.

I had a lady ask if I knew any good babysitters. I told her my daughter. She asked how old. I said 12. She said never mind. The child that needed watchign was THIRTEEN! I laughed. Really, a babysitter for a 13 year old (during the day!). Not a special needs child either. A seventh grader.

My DS18 babysat an 8th grader and 6th grader all this past school year. They paid him really well to basically do his homework with the kids so whatever but we always thought that was a little strange--especially since the mom worked from home more often than not .

 

[ReneeA]

I have no problem with it - my babysitter for tonight just turned 13, and has sat for my kids before. She's super responsible, taken the Red Cross babysitting course, and my best friend's DD so we know her very well. I would trust her to be level headed in an emergency over most of the 15 and up teens that live on my street.

 

[ajk912]

It looks like the majority of people who would hire a 12 y.o. are parents who have a 12 y.o. I used to babysit at 11, like most people. But I would not hire an 11-12 y.o. now for my kids. I will probably feel differently when my daughter turns 12!

I noticed that too. So I guess the 12 year old kids' moms can hire each other.

I like the 15-18 year olds for babysitters. Granted, like others said, they can be hard to secure so often you do have to call a few people to find someone who is free. I figure if you are old enough to drive a car you should be able to handle a few elementary age kids for a few hours.

 

[mhsjax]

I noticed that too. So I guess the 12 year old kids' moms can hire each other.

I like the 15-18 year olds for babysitters. Granted, like others said, they can be hard to secure so often you do have to call a few people to find someone who is free. I figure if you are old enough to drive a car you should be able to handle a few elementary age kids for a few hours.

Not me, I had a 12 year old when mine where 3 and 6 weeks. When my oldest hit 12, I quit hiring babysitter all together.

 

[luvmy3]

This thread made me think of my dd, she is 12 1/2. I mentioned to her yesterday that she should make herself available to babysit some of the kids in the neighborhood. I know I wish there was someone when I had to take one to a doc. appt and didn't want to have to take all the kids, and other things like that. She thought it was a great idea and I'm going to find a class for her, I hope the moms here reflect the answers of the poll.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes...but I might negotiate transportstion and she would need to be able to handle playing with 3 children. I wouldn't let her babysit my 3 month old at the same time but that is a combination age/experience issue and he quanitity and needs of the kids.

It would also only be for a little bit..mostly because entertaining my 3 would get exhausting.

I do find that an older sitter who has sat for 3-4 years has the experience and patience for what I need. But I wouldn't not hire a capable and willing 12 yo for small gigs to start.

But as stated, I would try to negotiate transportstion as part of the gig. Just my preference. 16yo's usually can drive which means that I don't have to worry how they'll get to my home.